Debate is often hijacked

FLUORIDE in our water. It`s coming and I`m scared.
   No, I`m not scared of a build-up of poisons in my system turning me green overnight, I`m scared the of the plethora of instant experts and the mass mailings of the anti-fluoride lobby.
   I don`t deny anyone the right to have their say, but unfortunately the fluoride debate has spawned an industry where there are those who want their say to the exclusion of anyone else.
   Having lived and worked in three states, I`ve been through the fluoride debate on many occasions.
   I`ve also been through numerous other debates about compulsory medications such as vaccinations, but nowhere have the antis been as strident in their campaigns as those associated with the fluoride issue.
   The proof of the pudding, if you like, is in the eating and those who deal with the eating and its results are the dentists.
   And our dentists are very, very heavily in favour of fluoridated water to prevent tooth decay.
   Don`t forget dentists make a lot of money out of filling decayed teeth, but they still believe in its efficacy.
   If fluoridated water was such a serious health concern, why are there not hundreds of people in Australia dying from fluoride poisoning every year?
   Fluoride, like hundreds of other substances in our food, is toxic if wrongly or over-used.
   And as for the issue of choice, if you are so scared of fluoride there is always tank or bottled water.
   
   Cut off again
   
   ONCE again the region has been cut off by floodwaters and once again the issue of roads is rising to the top of the agenda.
   We all know a major upgrading program is slowly being rolled out, but even when complete, are we going to be immune from the impacts of prolonged monsoonal rain?
   Highly unlikely.
   The question of alternative links to the region should be as much back on the table as the upgrading of the Bruce Highway.
   Far North Queenland is expanding in its importance as a supplier of fruit and vegetables but it`s not just the supermarket shelves which are feeling the hit.
   Growers are seeing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of produce spoil in trucks or rot on the trees because trucks can`t roll.
   If the Federal Government`s Office of Northern Australia is serious about looking to grow the potential of this part of the country, alternative land transport routes must be part of the deal or it will always be money wasted.
   
   Political poser
   
   WE face an election this year. That`s a given.
   Who will lead Queensland after the election - Anna Bligh or Lawrence Springborg - is yet to be determined.
   If the Borg`s LNP does get up, there`s an interesting scenario to consider, and that`s the ministerial make-up.
   Of the 21 LNP Members of Parliament, 18 are shadow ministers.
   A change of government will see a whole raft of new MPs.
   If it happens and Lawrence decides the front bench remains the same size as now (18), virtually every existing Opposition MP will become a minister.
   Either that or there will be some L-platers holding portfolios.
   
   Legislated bonus
   
   GOOD luck to them, but it never ceases to amaze how government decisions can turn out to be piggy banks for some industries.
   The latest industry to get a major kick-along is the home insulation industry with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd`s plan to provide insulation for 2.7 million homes to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
   There`s a whole list over the years how on industry has benefited from government decisions, ranging from compulsory helmets for pushbikes to digital TV to water tanks.
   It would be nice to have a crystal ball and see what`s next on the agenda.

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